Many of the best motorsports photos have one thing in common: a real feeling of speed. Fast shutter speeds will freeze moments of action, and highoctane car and bike racing are perfect subjects for this treatment.
At 1/3200 sec you can capture a crisp shot of a motorbike zooming round a circuit; however, you’ll also freeze the background and wheels, removing any indication of motion, and for all the viewer can tell, your subject could be parked on the track. To retain that sense of motion you need to shoot at a much slower shutter speed, but the problem here is that this will blur the entire subject.
The answer is to sight and track your subject through the viewfinder, match its speed while engaging continuous focus, and press the shutter when everything is perfectly framed. This technique is called panning – do it in one fluid movement and you’ll capture spinning wheels and a tack-sharp subject surrounded by smooth lines of motion blur.
Faster subjects and slower shutter speeds result in more motion, but it becomes harder to keep the subject sharp. 1/320 sec is a good middle ground that provides decent motion blur and a high hit rate of sharp subjects, but feel free to shoot at faster shutter speeds to begin with. So read on and get panning: you’ll be shooting super-slick shots of speeding bikes and cars in no time at all!
1 USE A LONG LENS
A lens with a large zoom range is preferred – the Nikon AF-S 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 we’re using is an ideal choice. It boasts plenty of reach for when you’re positioned far from the track, but is still suitable if you can get a little bit closer to the action. If you can get fairly close to the track then a 70-200mm lens will be sufficient.
この記事は Photography week の May 11, 2023 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は Photography week の May 11, 2023 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
CALIBRATE YOUR COLOURS
James Paterson reveals how he captures stunningly colourful sunsets by using this secret weapon
ABSTRACT PORTRAITS
Mike Harris shows you how to use slow shutter speeds and multiple exposures to capture a series of motion-blur portraits
BREATHTAKNG IMAGES FROM ABOVE AND BELOW THE WAVES
A final hit of inspiraton: Ocean Photographer of the Year reveals stunning winning photos
THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO AUTUMN
James Abbott reveals the secrets to capturing amazing images during the most eye-catching season of the year
CANON UNVEILS NEW PORTABLE, FULLY-WIRELESS PHOTO PRINTER
The Selphy QX20 is ideal for quickly printing your smartphone snaps on the go
FUJINON GF120MM F4 MACRO R LM OIS WR
This powerful medium-format lens is ideally suited to extreme close-ups
HOW TO...CLEAN UP A SCENE WITH AI
James Paterson shows you how the AI-powered Remove Tool can revolutionise your retouching
SHOOT AN '80S PORTRAIT
Jason Parnell-Brookes recreates the neon look of the 1980s using torches and hollow acrylic rods
THE BEST MONOCHROME IMAGE OF 2024 IS A REAL CRACKER
Black and White Photo Awards announces stunning selection of winning images
88 TIPS FOR GREAT BABY PHOTOS
From lighting to posing and pacifying, here's how you get the perfect shot